Jan

17

The sin-eater

January 17, 2024 |

the joy of set pieces in O'Brian and Conan Doyle. the Hoodoo.

 'I have a curious case in the sick-bay,' he said to James, as they sat digesting figgy-dowdy with the help of a glass of port. 'He is dying of inanition; or will, unless I can stir his torpor.'
 'What is his name?'
 'Cheslin: he has a hare lip.'
 'I know him. A waister—starboard watch—no good to man or beast.'
 'Ah? Yet he has been of singular service to men and women, in his time.'
 'In what way?'
 'He was a sin-eater.'
 'Christ.'
 'You have spilt your port.'
 'Will you tell me about him?' asked James, mopping at the stream of wine.
 'Why, it was much the same as with us. When a man died Cheslin would be sent for; there would be a piece of bread on the dead man's breast; he would eat it, taking the sins upon himself. Then they would push a silver piece into his hand and thrust him out of the house, spitting on him and throwing stones as he ran away.'
 'I thought it was only a tale, nowadays,' said James.

[More on sin-eaters.]

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